| Weight | .600 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 22.9 cm |
| Author | |
| Binding | Paperbound |
| ISBN | 9780975515723 |
| Publisher | Openmind Press |
Slippery Stone : An Inquiry into Islam’s Stance on Music
RM110.00
What does Islam say about poetry, singing, musical instruments, musicians, and the business of music? How have Muslim societies historically looked at these questions and how have their attitudes changed in the media age? Why have mosques remained music-free while churches have not? What is the truth about the much-publicized €œmusic controversy€ in Islam? Why did Sufis call sama as the slippery stone? These are some of the questions explored in-depth in Slippery Stone: An Inquiry into Islam’s Stance on Music.
Of late, increasing attempts are being made to promote €œIslamic music,€ and the distinction between what is allowed and what is not has become hazy and unclear for many. This book demystifies the issue of music in Islam by going to original source books in Arabic, many of them brought to light for the first time in the English language. It traces the attitudes of the Muslim society about music and the musician throughout its history and quotes extensively from the deliberations of the Qur’an and Hadith scholars and jurists from all schools of Islamic Law, both Sunni and Shi’ah. Separate chapters are devoted to a discussion of the views of Sufi masters as well as the arguments of Ibn Hazm.
It examines in considerable depth the impact of colonialism and the media revolution (beginning with the gramophone) on the attitudes of Muslim societies regarding music. It also subjects the works of Orientalists to a scrutiny that was overdue.
By referring to it as a slippery stone, Sufis vividly pointed out the dangers associated with this enterprise and emphasized the need for caution. History is filled with the corpses of those who fell off the slippery stone by ignoring this advice. Combining historic, cultural, and jurisprudential perspectives this book brings the truth of that metaphor into sharp relief.
More than six hundred references and more than a hundred twenty biographical notes on the authorities quoted add to the value of a discussion that is comprehensive without being boring, and detailed without being confusing. This book has left no stone unturned in its examination of the slippery stone.
Related Products
Prophet Muhammad: A Blessing for Mankind
Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and the lessons he taught us from the continued hardships he underwent in every stage of his life are a real blessing for humankind. Being an orphan child made him compassionate to widows and orphans as well as to the poor. His multiple marriages strengthened the ties of kinship amongst the different tribes, dissolving long-standing enmity. His message and prophethood were challenged by the polytheistic society in Makkah, forcing him and his few followers to emigrate to Madinah. Despite his illiteracy and the struggles he faced, he conveyed Allah’s Book, the Noble Qur’an, to all humanity, teaching them the values and principles that are presently adopted by billions of Muslims throughout the world. In the Qur’an, Allah, the Almighty addresses the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), saying: {We have sent you only as a mercy to the worlds.} (Qur’an 21: 107)
Muslim Unification at Time of Crisis
This book authored by one of the great scholars of our time is an advice to the people of Ahulul ?Sunnah wal-Jamaah to unify and be merciful to each other, and cooperate upon righteousness and taqwa.
When Wings Expand (P/B)
Writing on the pages of her journal, Nur, a teenage girl in Canada, charts the onset and advance of her mother’s cancer. Nur watches her mother’s body begin to shrink and her mood begin to darken. And when family and friends begin to encroach, Nur must face the prospect of her mother’s looming death.
Why Islam?
Often, the first thing someone is asked when they discover the truth and embrace Islam is the question: Why Islam? Here, an American revert-to-Islam answers that question. The author, K. Sherman, writes: The beauty of Islam is probably the best-kept secret in modern times; it is about time it was revealed. This is the sentiment of a majority of people who are discovering the truth about Islam every day. My first exposure to the religion was through a perusal of a fifty-page booklet titled Towards Understanding Islam (written in 1932). It explained to me everything that twenty years of life and fifteen years of education could not. After the initial sense of relief, I suddenly felt cheated. I was consumed with rage. Why? I could not fathom how people could know about this phenomenal way of life and not speak out and inform others. This book is my personal take on the beauty of Islam, backed up by relevant and authentic references. I am convinced that humanity direly needs it and it is my duty to speak out.
A Guide to Salah (Prayer) (P/B)
This book is the result of direct research into the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad saw and makes numerous references to the original sources. It contains all the essential details of salah without being too bulky or complicated, thus making it an ideal reference book either at home or while travelling.
A clear and concise explanation on how to pray. Also gives a detailed description of the preliminaries to salah, and different types of salah, with easy-to-follow illustrations.
In Search of God (P/B)
Some thinkers has said, ‘A smattering of knowledge turns people away from God. Grater knowledge brings them back to Him’. The author concludes in this book by examining various theories that the choice humanity have is not between the universe with God and the universe with God and the universe without God. The real option is between the universe with God and no universe at all. Therefore humanity is compelled to opt for the proposition the universe with God. Hence it is logical to say I exist, therefore, God exists.
Weakness of Faith (IIPH)
The phenomenon of weak faith has become very widespread among Muslims, and many people complain about the hardness of their hearts. So often we hear the words, “I feel hardness in my heart,” “I do not find any joy in worship,” “I feel that my faith has hit rock bottom,” “Reading Qur’aan does not move me,” “I fall into sin so easily.” The effects of this affliction can be seen in many people, and this problem is the cause of every disaster and adversity.
One of the most important principles which must be understood in order to treat the problem of weak faith is that faith increases and decreases, or waxes and wanes. This is one of the basic principles of the ‘aqeedah of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaa’ah, who say that faith is something to be spoken in words, to be believed in in the heart, and to be put into action. Faith increases with obedience and decreases with disobedience.
‘… that they may grow more in Faith along with their (present) Faith…’ [al-Fath 48:4]
‘… Which of you has had his faith increased by it? …'[al-Tawbah 9:124]. aari, Fath, 1/51).
Kindness to Parents
Kindness to Parents is a very enlightening booklet by Abdul Malik Al-Qasim. He has collected several stories and narrations that demonstrate the Birr (being dutiful) and kindness to our righteous Salaf towards their parents’ needs and necessities, in obedience to Allah’s worship in sincerity. He refers from the Noble Qur’an that a man is never allowed to say ‘Uff” (fie) if he smells a bad order coming from his parents or one of them.
The author has exposed shortcomings and errors of many among us who don not preserve the rights of their parents.
Dreams of the Prophets and the Righteous
Originally written in Arabic by Abdul Mun’im al Hashmi. It is like an encyclopedia of dreams. It tells us how we should behave on seeing a dream and how they may be interpreted. There are dreams of the Prophets and the Righteous men, and the dreams of the Prophet and his Sahabah. Some dreams of non-Muslims also find place in this book. The author also informs as to what various things like animals, birds and certain chapters of the Qur’an would mean if seen in a dream.
Fundamentals of Islam (P/B)
Fundamentals of Islam is a revised English edition of the critically acclaimed Khutubah (original written in Urdu). It consist of Friday congregational addresses, in them he expounds familiar themes; like Iman, Islam, the Prayer, Fasting, Alms-giving, Pilgrimage and Jihad.
Polygamy in Islam (P/B)
Polygamy is the Muslim practice most frequently and severely maligned by Westerners and modernist Muslims. This book can be read with profit by all unprejudiced readers who wish to know its justification and rationale.
One of the greatest contrasts between Islam and the West is their conflicting concepts of relations between the sexes. Indeed, the very first question a Muslim convert is confronted with by an American or European is ‘Why does Islam allow four wives?’ This book…replies straightforwardly to that question and much more.
The authors describe all the most important characteristics of marriage in Islam, pointing out that the Western notions of sex equality and romantic premarital ‘love’ are not necessary in Islamic marriage based on piety and the commitment on the part of both parents to win the pleasure of Almighty Allah.’
This book contains basic guides for anyone interested in understanding the rights and obligations of males and females in Islamic plural marriage. The guidelines have been drawn from the Quran, Hadith and opinions of Islamic scholars.
Journey to Islam: Diary of a German Diplomat 1951-2000 (The Islamic Foundation)
A lengthy process, rich in remarkable and thought-provoking events, including compelling encounters with Islamic philosophy, led the author to embrace Islam. His experiences since that time – such as his pilgrimages to Makkah – further deepened his understanding of, and identification with, this “fastest growing religion in Europe.” This “Diary” is, however, much more than a recorded soliloquy. It is a lively introduction to Islam as such – developed in the spiritual confrontation of a Muslim intellectual of European background with the ideology and value system of post-industrial western society.
Recently Viewed
Slippery Stone : An Inquiry into Islam’s Stance on Music
What does Islam say about poetry, singing, musical instruments, musicians, and the business of music? How have Muslim societies historically looked at these questions and how have their attitudes changed in the media age? Why have mosques remained music-free while churches have not? What is the truth about the much-publicized €œmusic controversy€ in Islam? Why did Sufis call sama as the slippery stone? These are some of the questions explored in-depth in Slippery Stone: An Inquiry into Islam’s Stance on Music.
Of late, increasing attempts are being made to promote €œIslamic music,€ and the distinction between what is allowed and what is not has become hazy and unclear for many. This book demystifies the issue of music in Islam by going to original source books in Arabic, many of them brought to light for the first time in the English language. It traces the attitudes of the Muslim society about music and the musician throughout its history and quotes extensively from the deliberations of the Qur’an and Hadith scholars and jurists from all schools of Islamic Law, both Sunni and Shi’ah. Separate chapters are devoted to a discussion of the views of Sufi masters as well as the arguments of Ibn Hazm.
It examines in considerable depth the impact of colonialism and the media revolution (beginning with the gramophone) on the attitudes of Muslim societies regarding music. It also subjects the works of Orientalists to a scrutiny that was overdue.
By referring to it as a slippery stone, Sufis vividly pointed out the dangers associated with this enterprise and emphasized the need for caution. History is filled with the corpses of those who fell off the slippery stone by ignoring this advice. Combining historic, cultural, and jurisprudential perspectives this book brings the truth of that metaphor into sharp relief.
More than six hundred references and more than a hundred twenty biographical notes on the authorities quoted add to the value of a discussion that is comprehensive without being boring, and detailed without being confusing. This book has left no stone unturned in its examination of the slippery stone.



















